urbanfarmer
09-24-2011, 02:19 PM
I caught lovebugs pollinating my vegetables, and when I said this to my friend I was told lovebugs were genetically engineered to eat mosquitoes... but there they were clearly pollinating and sucking at the flowers just like a butterfly does... strange...
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in694
Lovebug Myths
Lovebugs escaped after University of Florida researchers brought them into Florida. Lovebugs are not native to most of the southern United States (Hardy 1945). According to Buschman (1976), since 1940 P. nearctica has extended its range from Louisiana and Mississippi across the Gulf States, reaching Florida in 1949. In the late 1960s, it became established entirely across north Florida. During the 1970s explosive populations occurred progressively southward nearly to the end of peninsular Florida and northward into South Carolina (Figure 4). Its movement may have been accelerated by prevailing winds, vehicle traffic, sod transport, increased habitat along highways and expansion of pastures but not by UF researchers.
University of Florida researchers genetically engineered lovebugs to kill mosquitoes. Lovebugs are small, slow herbivorous insects that feed on the pollen and nectar found in flowers. Thus, they lack the mandibles (jaws), grasping legs, speed and other characteristics of predaceous insects, such as dragonflies. Lovebugs are active during the day, whereas most mosquitoes are crepuscular (active at twilight) or nocturnal, and they are only adults for a few weeks each year. For these and many other reasons, the lovebug would be a poor candidate to genetically engineer as a mosquito predator, even if it were possible.
Lovebugs are attracted to automobiles. After mating, lovebugs disperse as coupled pairs, presumably flying in search of nectar on which to feed and suitable oviposition sites. Mated females are attracted to sandy sites with adequate moisture, dead leaves, grass clippings, cow manure and other decomposing organic debris. Cherry (1998) found that lovebugs are attracted to anethole, an essential oil found in plants that also attracts bees. Additionally, Female lovebugs are attracted to UV irradiated aldehydes, a major component of automobile exhaust fumes (Callahan and Denmark 1973, Callahan et al. 1985). They may confuse these chemicals with the odors emitted from decaying organic matter at typical oviposition sites. Heat has also been shown to attract lovebugs (Whitesell 1974) and contribute to their abundance on highways. Additionally, lovebugs seem to collect on light-colored buildings, especially when freshly painted (Callahan 1985). Many kinds of flies are attracted to light-colored and shiny surfaces, although the physiological or behavioral mechanisms are unknown. Thus, lovebugs apparently accumulate in relatively warm, humid, sunny areas with food and chemicals in the atmosphere that mimic oviposition sites.
Dispersing lovebugs move great distances and are attracted to homes. Lovebug pairs are not strong fliers, so tend to remain within a few hundred yards of emergence sites when there is little or no wind (Thornhill 1976b). They are able to move across the wind when it is 5-7 mph and search for sources of nectar and suitable oviposition sites. Stronger winds blow them as high as 1500 ft in the air and concentrate them against down wind objects. Coupled females initiate and control flight but males assist if they are able to obtain food (Sharp et al. 1974). Locations within 20-30 miles can have quite different levels of lovebug emergence and dispersal (Cherry and Raid 2000) and this variable distribution can lead to naturally occurring "hotspots" in different places from year to year. Lovebugs are most abundant in moist grassy habitats. People who live near these habitats, or are exposed to winds that deposit the insects at their homes, can perceive erroneously that they are attracting these pests.
Lovebugs mate the entire time they are coupled. The general pattern of mating in lovebugs begins with males forming swarms above emergence areas each day in the morning and afternoon (Leppla et al 1974, Thornhill 1976c). Individual males also may fly just above these areas. Females emerge from the soil later than males, crawl on to vegetation, and fly into the swarms. A male may grasp a female before or after she flies into a swarm. In either case, the pair lands on vegetation where the male transfers sperm to the female. Sperm transfer requires an average of 12.5 hours but the pair can remain coupled for several days during which they feed and disperse (Thornhill 1976c).The male ejects a depleted spermatophore after separating from the female (Leppla et al. 1975) and both sexes may mate again. Pairs formed during the morning hours begin dispersal flights, whereas those that couple in the evening remain on vegetation until taking flight the following day.
The body fluids of lovebugs are acidic and immediately dissolve automobile paint. When numerous lovebugs are smashed on the front of a vehicle, the contents of their bodies, especially eggs, coat the painted surface. No permanent damage is caused, however, if the surface is cleaned before the coating is baked by the sun for a day or two. Marisa and Jeffrey Gedney (personnel communication) determined that macerated lovebugs are about neutral with a pH of 6.5 but become acidic at 4.25 within 24 hours. Yet, automobile paint was not damaged after being coated with macerated lovebugs and held in a humid indoor environment for 21 days. A lovebug-coated surface exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, however, may be damaged by the insects and their removal (Denmark and Mead 2001). The front of a vehicle can be protected by coating it with “car wax” and removing the lovebugs within 24 hours.
Lovebugs have no significant natural enemies. No parasites have emerged from lovebug larvae or adults held in the laboratory and few cases of predation have been observed in nature over the years (Hetrick 1970, Mousseau 2004). Apparently lovebugs adults are avoided by red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (=S. wagneri Santschi), and other predators but periodically eaten by spiders, dragonflies and birds. They have aposematic coloration that implies defensive mimicry but have not been chemically analyzed or tested as food for predators (Dunford et al. 2008). Bee keepers report anecdotally that honeybees do not visit flowers infested with lovebugs. Fungal pathogens have been identified by screening, six from larvae and one from adults, that could be limiting lovebug populations (Kish et al. 1974). These fungi include the well-known insect pathogenic genera, Metarhizium, Beauveria and Conidiobolus. Although not yet studied, lovebug eggs may be subjected to predation or parasitism.
Insecticides are effective in controlling lovebugs. Insecticides available to the public for controlling houseflies, mosquitoes and other flies will also kill lovebug adults. However, there are risks associated with using these products around humans and pets, and the lovebugs will return almost immediately. Other insects are often misidentified as being lovebugs, some of which are innocuous or beneficial and therefore should not be killed. It is important to preserve lady beetles, lacewings, honeybees and other insects that help to protect or pollinate plants. Thus, insecticides are expensive, potentially harmful and of no value in controlling lovebugs. It is best just to avoid lovebugs if they become a nuisance during their brief appearances each year.
University of Florida scientists are working to control lovebugs. The University of Florida research programs in urban and public health entomology are among the strongest in the U.S. Priority is placed on destructive or dangerous pests that threaten human health and resources. These pests include mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus, equine encephalitis and other diseases; those that infest people, livestock and pets; and urban insects, such as cockroaches, ants and termites. Nuisance pests like lovebugs and blind mosquitoes are important but much less damaging and costly. The Florida Legislature funded research on lovebugs at the University of Florida during the outbreak that swept through the state in the early 1970s. Additional resources were contributed by the USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Even though this support is no longer available, the University of Florida continues to provide information to help educate Florida residents and tourists about lovebugs.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in694
Lovebug Myths
Lovebugs escaped after University of Florida researchers brought them into Florida. Lovebugs are not native to most of the southern United States (Hardy 1945). According to Buschman (1976), since 1940 P. nearctica has extended its range from Louisiana and Mississippi across the Gulf States, reaching Florida in 1949. In the late 1960s, it became established entirely across north Florida. During the 1970s explosive populations occurred progressively southward nearly to the end of peninsular Florida and northward into South Carolina (Figure 4). Its movement may have been accelerated by prevailing winds, vehicle traffic, sod transport, increased habitat along highways and expansion of pastures but not by UF researchers.
University of Florida researchers genetically engineered lovebugs to kill mosquitoes. Lovebugs are small, slow herbivorous insects that feed on the pollen and nectar found in flowers. Thus, they lack the mandibles (jaws), grasping legs, speed and other characteristics of predaceous insects, such as dragonflies. Lovebugs are active during the day, whereas most mosquitoes are crepuscular (active at twilight) or nocturnal, and they are only adults for a few weeks each year. For these and many other reasons, the lovebug would be a poor candidate to genetically engineer as a mosquito predator, even if it were possible.
Lovebugs are attracted to automobiles. After mating, lovebugs disperse as coupled pairs, presumably flying in search of nectar on which to feed and suitable oviposition sites. Mated females are attracted to sandy sites with adequate moisture, dead leaves, grass clippings, cow manure and other decomposing organic debris. Cherry (1998) found that lovebugs are attracted to anethole, an essential oil found in plants that also attracts bees. Additionally, Female lovebugs are attracted to UV irradiated aldehydes, a major component of automobile exhaust fumes (Callahan and Denmark 1973, Callahan et al. 1985). They may confuse these chemicals with the odors emitted from decaying organic matter at typical oviposition sites. Heat has also been shown to attract lovebugs (Whitesell 1974) and contribute to their abundance on highways. Additionally, lovebugs seem to collect on light-colored buildings, especially when freshly painted (Callahan 1985). Many kinds of flies are attracted to light-colored and shiny surfaces, although the physiological or behavioral mechanisms are unknown. Thus, lovebugs apparently accumulate in relatively warm, humid, sunny areas with food and chemicals in the atmosphere that mimic oviposition sites.
Dispersing lovebugs move great distances and are attracted to homes. Lovebug pairs are not strong fliers, so tend to remain within a few hundred yards of emergence sites when there is little or no wind (Thornhill 1976b). They are able to move across the wind when it is 5-7 mph and search for sources of nectar and suitable oviposition sites. Stronger winds blow them as high as 1500 ft in the air and concentrate them against down wind objects. Coupled females initiate and control flight but males assist if they are able to obtain food (Sharp et al. 1974). Locations within 20-30 miles can have quite different levels of lovebug emergence and dispersal (Cherry and Raid 2000) and this variable distribution can lead to naturally occurring "hotspots" in different places from year to year. Lovebugs are most abundant in moist grassy habitats. People who live near these habitats, or are exposed to winds that deposit the insects at their homes, can perceive erroneously that they are attracting these pests.
Lovebugs mate the entire time they are coupled. The general pattern of mating in lovebugs begins with males forming swarms above emergence areas each day in the morning and afternoon (Leppla et al 1974, Thornhill 1976c). Individual males also may fly just above these areas. Females emerge from the soil later than males, crawl on to vegetation, and fly into the swarms. A male may grasp a female before or after she flies into a swarm. In either case, the pair lands on vegetation where the male transfers sperm to the female. Sperm transfer requires an average of 12.5 hours but the pair can remain coupled for several days during which they feed and disperse (Thornhill 1976c).The male ejects a depleted spermatophore after separating from the female (Leppla et al. 1975) and both sexes may mate again. Pairs formed during the morning hours begin dispersal flights, whereas those that couple in the evening remain on vegetation until taking flight the following day.
The body fluids of lovebugs are acidic and immediately dissolve automobile paint. When numerous lovebugs are smashed on the front of a vehicle, the contents of their bodies, especially eggs, coat the painted surface. No permanent damage is caused, however, if the surface is cleaned before the coating is baked by the sun for a day or two. Marisa and Jeffrey Gedney (personnel communication) determined that macerated lovebugs are about neutral with a pH of 6.5 but become acidic at 4.25 within 24 hours. Yet, automobile paint was not damaged after being coated with macerated lovebugs and held in a humid indoor environment for 21 days. A lovebug-coated surface exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, however, may be damaged by the insects and their removal (Denmark and Mead 2001). The front of a vehicle can be protected by coating it with “car wax” and removing the lovebugs within 24 hours.
Lovebugs have no significant natural enemies. No parasites have emerged from lovebug larvae or adults held in the laboratory and few cases of predation have been observed in nature over the years (Hetrick 1970, Mousseau 2004). Apparently lovebugs adults are avoided by red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (=S. wagneri Santschi), and other predators but periodically eaten by spiders, dragonflies and birds. They have aposematic coloration that implies defensive mimicry but have not been chemically analyzed or tested as food for predators (Dunford et al. 2008). Bee keepers report anecdotally that honeybees do not visit flowers infested with lovebugs. Fungal pathogens have been identified by screening, six from larvae and one from adults, that could be limiting lovebug populations (Kish et al. 1974). These fungi include the well-known insect pathogenic genera, Metarhizium, Beauveria and Conidiobolus. Although not yet studied, lovebug eggs may be subjected to predation or parasitism.
Insecticides are effective in controlling lovebugs. Insecticides available to the public for controlling houseflies, mosquitoes and other flies will also kill lovebug adults. However, there are risks associated with using these products around humans and pets, and the lovebugs will return almost immediately. Other insects are often misidentified as being lovebugs, some of which are innocuous or beneficial and therefore should not be killed. It is important to preserve lady beetles, lacewings, honeybees and other insects that help to protect or pollinate plants. Thus, insecticides are expensive, potentially harmful and of no value in controlling lovebugs. It is best just to avoid lovebugs if they become a nuisance during their brief appearances each year.
University of Florida scientists are working to control lovebugs. The University of Florida research programs in urban and public health entomology are among the strongest in the U.S. Priority is placed on destructive or dangerous pests that threaten human health and resources. These pests include mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus, equine encephalitis and other diseases; those that infest people, livestock and pets; and urban insects, such as cockroaches, ants and termites. Nuisance pests like lovebugs and blind mosquitoes are important but much less damaging and costly. The Florida Legislature funded research on lovebugs at the University of Florida during the outbreak that swept through the state in the early 1970s. Additional resources were contributed by the USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Even though this support is no longer available, the University of Florida continues to provide information to help educate Florida residents and tourists about lovebugs.